News & events
EuroCommerce welcomes Commission’s new CSR strategy
26 October 2011
Yesterday's Commission communication on a renewed EU strategy for Corporate Social Responsibility 2011-14 was welcomed by EuroCommerce. Director General Christian Verschueren commented: "The promotion of internationally agreed CSR principles and guidance tools like the OECD guidelines, the UN Global Compact and ISO 26000 are welcomed by EuroCommerce."
Mr Verschueren did, however, express some reservations with the new proposal. "This communication, the first policy statement since 2006, constitutes without a doubt a paradigm shift in EU policy on Corporate Social Responsibility. We regret that the voluntary engagement of companies is no longer seen by the Commission as a key feature of CSR. The new definition of CSR as 'the responsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society' puts less emphasis on the great voluntary efforts and achievements that can be witnessed in commerce and other sectors."
On CSR reporting, EuroCommerce asks the Commission to refrain from measures that would increase administrative burdens and impose additional costs on companies, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises. "In times of economic crisis, this would be the wrong signal to send to companies", Mr Verschueren said. "Many retailers and wholesalers already report extensively about their CSR engagement. Commerce companies need to maintain their flexibility on how they disclose information about their social and environmental impacts and commitments."
"EuroCommerce supports the Commission's goal to enhance the visibility of CSR and to promote the dissemination of good practices, for example by means of a European Award scheme or sector-specific multi-stakeholder platforms. We are willing to cooperate with the Commission in these fields", concluded Mr Verschueren.
More information on the CSR communication is available here.
